New Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith is returning to the NFL this season after abruptly retiring while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. On Wednesday, Smith opened up on the heartbreaking reason behind his decision to retire in the middle of the 2025 season in October. Smith explained that he retired to spend time with his dying mother.
"I wasn't supposed to retire," Smith said to reporters in a press conference. Got a phone call from my mom's doctor telling me that she don't have much longer to be on this earth. I let the team know, obviously they wasn't trying to let me leave but that was the only thing I had left to retire, so I retired.
"Dealt with that, after losing my mom, I lost my grandma. Then, after my grandma, I lost my dad." A call from Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry earlier this month convinced Smith to return to football. He said he was in a "dark place" due to the loss of his mother, grandma and father, but playing football is his "happy place." Smith worked out with the Browns and nearly signed with the Cleveland this season.
His deal with the Browns ultimately fell through due to financial reasons. But then, Smith got a call from the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons lost edge rusher Jalon Walker to a season-ending ACL tear, and edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was suspended for eight games due to violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Atlanta needed a veteran replacement, so Smith was a good fit for the team's roster needs. The Falcons were also a good fit for Smith's needs because the team is the closest in the NFL to his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. Head coach Kevin Stefanski also coached Smith during his time with the Browns in 2023 and 2024.
Smith told reporters his mother always wanted him to play for the Falcons. He also said he plans to get two Greyhound buses that can transport his mother's "church family" to Falcons' home games this season. "My mom, rest her soul, man.
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